Fans of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Tick” Engage With a Sassy AI-Powered Watercraft at New York Comic-Con

Hot off of its San Diego Comic-Con activation, Amazon Prime Video plunged deeper into the hero universe at New York Comic-Con (Oct. 5-8) with a larger-than-life activation that promoted its new series “The Tick.” The experience gave fans the chance to step into and interact with a life-sized replica of Dangerboat, the sassy, artificial intelligence-powered sidekick and headquarters of Overkill, one of the show’s anti-heroes. Equipped with RFID wristbands, attendees had the opportunity to climb aboard the watercraft and unlock a series of surprise and delight moments that placed them directly inside the world of “The Tick.”

The experience was action-packed from the get-go. After registering for an RFID wristband, fans were invited to step inside the replica Dangerboat. As they explored the vessel, a roving camera that acted as Dangerboat’s cheeky character addressed participants by name and engaged them in conversation, asking humorous (and often risqué) questions. There was also an opportunity to make superhero history profiles complete with personal superhero ID cards, launch missiles from the boat’s weapons control system and participate in a 360-degree green screen video experience. Attendees also received cans of “Fo-Ham,” a Spam-like product from the show that was filled with series-related pins and offered a Snapchat code that unlocked a “Tick”-themed Snapchat filter for one hour.

“More and more, it’s all about the experience,” says Mike Benson, head of marketing at Amazon Studios. “So, whether it’s the experience using Prime Video or you actually going to an event like Comic-Con where you can go more deeply into something, we’ve seen audiences want a good experience; it’s higher value for them. When we can create something like a Dangerboat and bring people into our show we think it does so much more to deepen that relationship with our customers, and that’s really what we’re all about.”

Upon exiting the vessel, brand ambassadors were waiting with short surveys about Amazon Prime Video and, as a thank you for participating, distributed blue branded ponchos to fans before they left.

In addition to the Dangerboat activation, fans could attend series-related panels featuring cast members from “The Tick,” including Scott Speiser, who plays Overkill on the show.

“You really have to engage deeply and make it meaningful and valuable,” says Benson. “And I feel like we did that, and I feel like that’s the challenge for all marketers when you go to events like this. How do you do it so it feels true to the programs and the IP that you’re marketing?” Agency: NVE, Beverly Hills, CA.

Gallery: Amazon Prime Video Brings “The Tick’s” Dangerboat to Life at New York Comic-Con 2017

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